Couples Class

Who should participate? Canterbury's Couples Class is open to all couples who want to strengthen their relationship: gay & straight; young & old; interfaith & multicultural; married, engaged, or in a committed relationship. How many class sessions? Each Couples Class meets for 12 sessions. Participation in a Couples Class is generally required for all couples planning to be married at Canterbury, but is not limited to pre-marital couples. Couples at all stages of their relationship can benefit from the discussions and skills introduced in this course. Mark your calendar: Classes typically meet on Sunday afternoons, 3:30-5PM twice each month for 6 months, for a total of 12 sessions.Registration Deadline: Fall Registration Deadline is September 1st (Class starts on Sunday, September 30). Spring Registration Deadline is February 14th. Space is limited to 6 couples, so register early! After registering, each partner will receive instructions for completing an online relationship inventory, which should be completed PRIOR to our first class session.Questions? For more information, registration, or to schedule an individual coaching session, contact Donnel, donnelmillermutia@gmail.com.

Payment: The cost for the online Prepare-Enrich inventory is $35 per couple (to be paid by the couple in the P.E. website). The suggested donation for participation in the 12 session Couples Class is $50-$300 per couple. (Individual coaching sessions are typically $20-$60/hour.) You can pay via check (Make checks payable to St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, memo "Couples Class") or via paypal (Use "Donate button, below, mark "couples class" in notes.)

Donnel Miller-Mutia, Lay Pastoral Counselor and Relationship EducatorDonnel is a certified Prepare/Enrich Relationship Facilitator. As a relationship educator, he provides relationship enrichment courses for couples of all sexual orientations and stages of relationship. He has been married for 16 years to Sylvia+ (the pastor of St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church) and is the parent of three children. He integrates mindfulness, cross-cultural and non-defensive communication in his work. For more details on his work and education, click here.

Sessions (Topics & Tools)

Our Couples Class is based on the Prepare-Enrich program. Prior to the first session, each couple completes an extensive online relationship inventory. The personalized results of your inventory provide the basis for discussion with your partner in each session. ​

Personality Profiles Exercise: Personality Profiles: Understanding Similarities & DifferencesThe SCOPE personality profile (which everyone in the Couples Group completed in the initial PREPARE/ENRICH inventory) is one of many tools that can help you better understand yourself and your partner. When we understand ourselves in terms that are descriptive, rather than judgmental, we are in a better position to grow as individuals and to recognize the strengths that our differences can bring to our relationships. In addition to the SCOPE personality profile, you and your partner might wish to explore: